H.G. Bishop Theophilus, Bishop of Manfalut:
“H.H. Pope Tawadros II is the first Patriarch to visit the Monastery of Prince Theodore since Saint Athanasius the Apostolic. Manfalut has offered the Church three Popes and many bishops.”

During the Divine Liturgy for the consecration of St. Mark the Apostle’s Church in Prince Theodore of Shotep’s Monastery in Manfalut, H.H. Pope Tawadros II delivered a sermon in which he expressed his deep joy at consecrating the monastery’s new church in the name of Saint Mark the Apostle.

“It is one of God’s great blessings,” His Holiness said, “that He grants us a church where we may lift up our prayers — a place where heaven meets earth. The presence of a church means that heaven itself is present among us.”

He added that the church is a fragment of heaven, filled with the spirits of the saints, and that we name our churches after those who preceded us in holiness and divine knowledge.

Then he asked, “What is the Church to us?”* — and answered by recalling a well-known hymn that says the Church is a home, a mother, and the secret of joy in a person’s life. He explained these meanings through the sacraments of the Church.

1) The Church Is Our Home

In it we find fatherhood and healing through the following sacraments:

-The Sacrament of Priesthood: It represents spiritual fatherhood — a source of support, guidance, forgiveness, and encouragement. The spiritual father leads the church and bears responsibility for the flock and congregation he serves.
-The Sacrament of Unction of the Sick: In this sacrament, we find comfort and healing — not only for bodily illness but also for the sickness of soul and spirit, as the Lord Christ said: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

2) Second: The Church Is Our Mother

This motherhood is revealed through three sacraments:

-The Sacrament of Marriage: Through which every father and mother begin their sacred life together, and through which the family receives divine blessing.
-The Sacrament of Baptism: In which we are all born in Christ — baptism is called: “the womb of the Church.”
-The Sacrament of Chrismation (Myron): Through which we are established and confirmed in the life of the Church.

3) The Church Is the Source of Joy

Pope Tawadros said: “Copts everywhere love the Church because it is their joy. As the Lord Christ said: “On this rock I will build My Church” (Matthew 16:18).

Joy, His Holiness explained, is experienced through the following sacraments:

-The Sacrament of Repentance and Confession: Through it, we are freed from the burden of sin. Saint John Chrysostom said: “The only true disaster in the world is sin.”
Man should repent daily and confess his sins before the priest, who grants absolution so that the sin may be lifted and wiped away by the Cross of Christ.
Thus, the sacrament of confession is a sacrament of healing and joy, as we read in the prophecy of Micah: “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise” (Micah 7:8).
We rise through repentance and confession.
-The Sacrament of the Eucharist (Holy Communion): There is no greater joy than having Christ dwell within us: “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him” (John 6:56).

Pope Tawadros also emphasized that the Lord Christ loves Egypt deeply, for He visited her in His childhood and blessed her land, her sea, her river, her trees, and her people. Egypt, he said, is distinguished among all nations because the Lord Christ Himself entered and dwelt in her for years, sanctifying many of her places.

At the conclusion of his sermon, His Holiness joined the congregation in singing the hymn:
“My Church, my Church — she is my home, my mother, and the secret of my life’s joy.”

H.G. Bishop Theophilus, Bishop of Manfalut and Abbot of the Monastery of Prince Theodore spoke saying: “This day will remain engraved forever in the walls of this monastery. H.H. Pope Tawadros II is the first Patriarch to visit the Monastery of Prince Theodore since Saint Athanasius the Apostolic. His Holiness is also the one who revived the monastic life here.”

He recalled the pastoral visits of previous Popes to the Diocese of Manfalut:

-the late Pope Shenouda III on July 7, 1975
-Saint Pope Kyrillos VI in 1965
-Pope Cyril V in 1909

He also noted that the diocese of Manfalut has offered the Coptic Church three Popes:
Pope John XIV (the 96th Patriarch)
Pope Peter El-Gawly (the 109th Patriarch)
Pope Shenouda III (the 117th Patriarch)

His Grace praised the dedicated ministry of the late Bishop Antonious, previous Bishop of Manfalut, whose service greatly blessed both the diocese and the monastery.

He went on to express his greetings to His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on the occasion of the October victories, expressing gratitude to Major General Dr. Hisham Abu El-Nasr, Governor of Asyut, and to the security leaders and police officers for their devoted efforts in organizing the papal visit.

Finally, His Grace presented a historic gift to His Holiness — a bronze serpent, crafted 120 years ago, as a token of love and honor.

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